DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP

How one of the US Navy’s traditions relate to the current political environment

On the occasion of the US Navy’s 243rd anniversary, I am reminded of its tradition of “Don’t Give Up the Ship.”

During the War of 1812, Captain James Lawrence in command of the frigate Chesapeake left Boston on 1 June 1813 and immediately engaged the British Royal Navy frigate Shannon. The battle was quick and the Chesapeake was overrun by a British boarding party. During the battle, Lawrence was mortally wounded and with his last words told his crew from his cabin, “Don’t give up the ship.”

Unfortunately, the Chesapeake was surrendered, her colors struck, and escorted to Halifax, Nova Scotia. While the British war gain was in transit, Lawrence died of his injuries and the Americans who witnessed this battle from land were confused about what was happening as they were expecting a quick victory and several celebrations back on land in its aftermath.

Historians point out that Lawrence made several blunders including disobeying orders to not engage the enemy and instead slip through the blockade in order to sail north to the Gulf of St. Lawrence where the Chesapeake could harass enemy shipping. Instead, the US Navy lost a ship and it cost Lawrence his life.

Lieutenant William Cox, who escorted Lawrence to his cabin during the battle, was branded as a scapegoat and the Navy dismissed him from leaving his place of duty during the battle. Due to injuries to other officers that left them incapacitated, Cox was probably unaware that he was the de facto commanding officer. Even though he attempted to regain control of the ship, Cox was captured and like other members of the Chesapeake, held as prisoners below decks. Efforts were made by Cox’s descendants to clear his name and was not done so until a pardon by President Harry S. Truman in 1952.

Still, the legend of Captain Lawrence’s words lived on.

Upon hearing of Lawrence’s death, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry – commander of US Naval Forces, Lake Erie – ordered the making of a large blue flag with Lawrence’s last words in white letters that would be flown on Perry’s ship, the USS Lawrence which was named in his friend’s memory.

During the Battle of Lake Erie, the Lawrence would be captured by the British only to be recaptured by the Americans after Perry took command of the Niagara and broke the British line. Perry accepted the British surrender on the Lawrence where he informed General William Henry Harrison that “(w)e have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.”

The victory allowed the US to gain control over the Great Lakes, made the invasion into a Canada a possibility, protected the Ohio Valley, and increased the Navy’s prominence as a worthy global adversary.

And those words continued on through every generation of US sailor

Because at the heart of those words is that a sailor’s ship is their livelihood for their time aboard.

The first 16 months I was onboard the Carl Vinson, she was my home. Even though M Division berthing was less than ideal living conditions, that was the truth. Even though I have been out of the Navy for 10 years, I still speak of the Vinson as MY ship. MY ship helped with the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief efforts. MY ship sent bin Laden to Davy Jones’ locker. MY ship is going from San Diego back to Naval Base Kitsap.

And much like the Vinson was my home, so is this country.

For all of its many, many, many, many…. MANY faults, this is still my country. I was her faithful servant for six years of honorable service on active duty and still feel that way in the years after I last wore the uniform.

Currently there are enemies boarding our ship of state. They are the enemies of cruelty, indifference, maltreatment, greed, and apathy. We have encountered these enemies several times over, engaged them without fear, and defeated them many times. Unfortunately, these enemies have manifested and metastasized themselves in this current administration. They will not be defeated by sitting on the sidelines hoping for them to see the errors of their ways but instead by us – we the people – standing up in one collective voice and saying enough.

Enough of the caging of children

Enough of the voter suppression tactics

Enough of the attacks on the press

Enough of ignoring the most vulnerable of our citizens

Enough of packing the courts to fulfill a conservative agenda that is out of step with a majority of Americans

Just plain… enough

And you can say enough with you vote in 24 days.

Still, the goal and battle cry remain

Don’t give up the ship